Detroit — The Detroit Pistons face major challenges this season, but their toughest moment began early Thursday morning. Detroit All-Star point guard Cade Cunningham has been diagnosed with a collapsed lung. Cunningham’s return timeline is uncertain, but he will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Cunningham’s status for the remainder of the season and the start of the playoffs remains uncertain. One thing is certain now, however: The Pistons are going to have to make do without their All-NBA guard for the time being. The Pistons began laying the foundation for survival without Cunningham with a 117-95 victory over the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena.
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With this victory, the Pistons completed a two-game sweep of the Wizards and improved their overall record to 50 wins and 19 losses. They are 6-2 this season without Cunningham.
“It’s tough. It’s tough for Cade to go through what he has to go through. How important he is to the team and how important he is to being with the team – it’s not easy,” coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “He’s a big part of what we do from a leadership standpoint.”
March 19, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Caris LeVert (8) dribbles and Washington Wizards guard Jameer Watkins (5) chases during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
Bickerstaff continued, “It’s our responsibility to keep going. We know he’s going to be there cheering us on. When he starts to come to, he’s going to cheer us on and help the coaches and leaders at the same time. It’s everybody’s responsibility to keep going. We just put our heads down, ten toes forward, put our heads down and go to work.”
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Jalen Duren became the team’s leading scorer with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Duncan Robinson made 4 of 8 three-pointers and contributed 14 points and 5 rebounds.
Bickerstaff understands it’s impossible to replace everything Cunningham brings to the team, but meeting the challenge starts with everyone on the team improving their individual performance while “bringing out the best in their abilities.”
Bickerstaff’s coaching philosophy was on display in the first 12 minutes of the game, during which the Pistons got off to one of their best first quarter starts of the season. Their fast start gave Detroit a 25-point lead at 11:38 of the second quarter. However, the Pistons were unable to maintain momentum, allowing the Wizards to cut Detroit’s double-digit lead multiple times.
Washington won the second quarter 38-25 and narrowed the deficit to six points at the end of the third quarter. After a slight dip in the game, Caris LeVert and Paul Reed combined for 17 points in the fourth quarter to help the Pistons regain dominance.
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LeVert’s third three-pointer of the night came with 6:31 left in the final quarter, giving the Pistons a 104-89 lead. He scored 14 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds, while Reed contributed 17 points.
Tristan Vukcevic scored 13 of his team-high 21 points in the second quarter to lead the Wizards to a mid-game rally. Will Riley contributed 15 points.
coty.davis@detroitnews.com
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This article originally appeared in The Detroit News: Detroit Pistons start ‘moving forward’ without Cade Cunningham
